2022 Best & Brightest Online MBA: Trey Quealy, University of Cincinnati (Lindner)

Trey Quealy

Carl H. Lindner College of Business, University of Cincinnati

“An ambitious, enthusiastic, and hard-working servant leader with an interest in supply chain & logistics.”

Age: 25

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Fun fact about yourself: I had to perform an emergency landing from a hot air balloon ride!

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2019). Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Supply Chain Management & a dual concentration in Data Analytics and a minor in Leadership Studies.

Where are you currently working? Procter & Gamble as a Category Supply Planner for our North America Fabric Care Bounce, Downy, and Gain Dryer Sheets team.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am most proud of my experience as a manager of six direct reports. At the young age of 24 managing employees all older than me, I am proud of the coaching, support, and guidance is given to my team. From creating personalized impact plans and ‘know and grow’ templates to organizing frequent team ice breakers, I have had invaluable exposure to successfully managing others in a challenge while working within a complex environment (COVID-19, material shortages, transportation constraints, increase of costs & labor, etc).

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? After to moving to Cincinnati in 2019 post-graduation from undergrad, I knew I was interested in pursuing an MBA at one point in my career. However, it wasn’t until learning more about UC’s MBA program that I knew this school was the right fit for me. Being ranked #7 in the U.S. (Fortune) and as the best program in Ohio (U.S. News & World Report) solidified my interest! Completing my MBA online from UC has allowed me to prioritize my full-time job, maintain a social life with friends and family, as well as thrive in an impressive business professional community.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? It was how supportive and engaging the other students have been!

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? I was surprised by how prepared and technologically advanced the professors were. From interactive and collaborative group projects to cutting-edge presentations in front of green screens, my professors exceeded my (high) expectations through only teaching from online platforms.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? Fortunately, I received more support and 1:1 interaction from professors through my online experience at UC. I noticed it was much more convenient and easier to hop on a team call and connect for a few minutes than scheduling office hour timeslots and making a trip across campus for a brief session. My UC Lindner College of Business professors was always willing to make time for me when reviewing practice problems or prep work for an upcoming exam.

What would you change about an online MBA Program? I would change the amount of in-person join-ups offered for students. If located within the same city, I would have liked a few (may be unofficial) meet-and-greets with students. Happy hours at a local bar in OTR or a night at the Great American Ballpark to cheer on the Cincinnati Reds baseball team would have been great opportunities and environments to better know my fellow online MBA students.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? As a supply chain manager for P&G, I have the privilege of working with employees from numerous other functions in Fabric Care – marketing, finance, purchasing, customer teams, engineering, HR, and more. My coursework and online education from UC’s MBA program allowed me to better understand and appreciate the work being done by my colleagues. Whether it’s understanding ‘NOS’ or knowing how to interpret a value stream map, I feel much more confident and comfortable when talking to others outside of logistics!

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? I did, yes. In March 2022, I was promoted to A Band 2 manager for P&G.

Did you earn a raise during the online MBA program? No, not yet at least

Number of Hours Per Week Spent On Online MBA: ~ 5 hours, as it was mainly completed part-time (I started Fall 2020 semester)

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My ultimate long-term professional goal is to become CEO, President and/or Chairman of the Board for a Fortune 500 company. Whether it’s for a well-known, IT-based corporation located off the coast of California, or in Smalltown, USA, for an up-and-coming consumer goods company, I have a strong interest in becoming a top leader in upper management. I am hoping for a fulfilling work history filled with experiences in supply chain, manufacturing, R&D and brand and maybe relocate internationally and experience a few roles while learning more about diverse cultures and communities.

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